Leg amputated while pregnant – now mum has mountain to climb
SPINA bifida patient Becky Turner has been reflecting on one of her life-changing decisions.
Eight weeks into a pregnancy, she was faced with making a decision on whether or not to have an infected foot amputated.
It was a life-changing decision which goes a long way to showing how determined the mum is as she completes preparations for a challenging charity walk up Pen y Fan.
Becky was born with spina bifida, where part of the neural tube does not develop or close properly, leading to defects in the spinal cord and bones of the spine.
Nine years ago she moved from Pembrokeshire to Swansea and, in 2013, about eight weeks pregnant with her youngest daughter, Caitlyn, she had a decision to make.
After having issues with her foot, an infection had gone into Becky’s bone. But because she was pregnant, she could not access the medication she needed.
“Although it was a relief, it was quite a frightening time,” Becky said.
“It was all unknown and quite quick. After finding out about it, it (the amputation) happened about three weeks later.
“For me, it was something that was quite inevitable anyway, so I would have preferred to have it done whilst pregnant, when it was safe in the second trimester, than possibly having to leave the baby and go into hospital for the first couple of months of her life.”
Although there were no added complications to the pregnancy, the leg took a long time to heal and the first few months with Becky’s newborn were quite challenging.
“It was quite hard after the amputation. It was in the run-up to Christmas. My husband, Richard, had to take 10 months off work unpaid to take over my role in the house as well as looking after me.
“I was quite depressed. I didn’t feel like I could be a proper mum. I was stuck in this wheelchair and I couldn’t do the things I thought I should be doing as a new mum.”
Five months after the baby was born, Becky was able to take her out for a walk for the very first time.
“That was just the best feeling ever,” she said.
Although this changed her life, Becky is content with the decision she took.
“It was a shock but we made the best decision. My foot was quite at risk anyway.
“It was more of a relief as it put an end to all of the appointments, infections and not being able to be the best mum I could.”
Life is still not straightforward as Becky has had problems with her stump and is restricted to what she can and cannot do.
“There are months when I have to be in my wheelchair as I can’t put the leg on due to the pain and everything,” she said.
“I couldn’t even do the basic mum things like taking my kids to school.”
Becky has been seen by a plastic surgeon, which was “brilliant”.
And the recent Covid restrictions have allowed her to concentrate on family matters and her children.
Becky has three daughters, Lacey (13), Mia (10) and Caitlyn (7) plus a stepdaughter, Ruby (12).
“It allowed my life to slow down. It was a nice time to be a mum and take more of a chilled approach to life.”
In January, Becky went into surgery as there were complications with her stump and while she was there she also contracted Covid, making her feel even more tired.
It was during this period when she came into contact with AmpCamp Kids, a charity which supports child amputees.
“It was a bit of an inspiration. A reason to push myself as I had sort of lost me. I was quite depressed. Seeing these kids and how they tackle life with a smile. Wow.”
And on July 31, Becky, along with around 40 family members, friends and amputees, will be climbing Pen y Fan in order to raise money for the charity to send six amputee children and their families on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Tenerife.
This is in spite of the physical challenges she still faces.
“I am nervous about the climb,” she said. “But I will get to the top.”
To donate to the campaign, or find out more information, you can go to https://uk.gofundme. c om/ f / pen- y- f an- c l i mb- f orampcamp-kids